Panel says Fernley councilman violated ethics law

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Nevada Commission on Ethics has found that a Fernley City Council member violated state ethics laws when he asked city inspectors to check a building his employer wanted to buy.

But a stipulation the commission entered into with Councilman Don Parsons says he wasn't intentionally trying to seek favors or pressure his subordinates.

Two city building inspectors say Parsons asked them to inspect and then condemn a building his private employer, Hydrotech, wanted to buy. The commission said this week that other city employees didn't remember that request.

City inspectors sometimes perform courtesy inspections for the public, but Parsons acknowledged a city inspector might have felt pressure to accommodate his schedule.